XSS in Wordpress
CVE-2019-16780
WordPress users with lower privileges (like contributors) can inject JavaScript code in the block editor using a specific payload, which is executed within the dashboard. This can lead to XSS if an admin opens the post in the editor. Execution of this attack does require an authenticated user. This has been patched in WordPress 5.3.1, along with all the previous WordPress versions from 3.7 to 5.3 via a minor release. Automatic updates are enabled by default for minor releases and we strongly recommend that you keep them enabled.
Vulnerability class: XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
EPSS: 0.017 (75.1th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 5.8 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N.
Affected products
- Wordpress — versions < 5.3.1, 3.7
- Debian Debian_linux — versions 9.0, 10.0
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- security-advisories@github.com (Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)
- security-advisories@github.com (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third Party Advisory)
- security-advisories@github.com (Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC, Release Notes)
- security-advisories@github.com (Patch, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)
- security-advisories@github.com (Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)
- security-advisories@github.com (mailing-list, x_refsource_BUGTRAQ, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- security-advisories@github.com (vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_DEBIAN)
- security-advisories@github.com (vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_DEBIAN)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2019-16780?
- CVE-2019-16780 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Wordpress, classified under Cross-site Scripting. CVSS score: 5.8/10. Published 2019-12-26.
- How severe is CVE-2019-16780?
- Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 5.8 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2019-16780 known to be exploited?
- 9 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.